The definition of feudalism you are likely find in a 21st century textbook is that it was the dominant form of political organization in medieval Europe. It was a system of hierarchy pertaining to social relationships wherein a lord granted land to a free man, who in turn swore fealty to his lord as a vassal and agreed to protect the land as well as other service. In the feudal system, a vassal could also be a lord, granting portions of the land he holds for his lord to other free vassals. The land given to each vassal was occupied by serfs that worked the land to provide the vassal with income to support his military goals; in turn, the vassal would protect the serfs from invasions.
However, the problem with this definition is that close …show more content…
Japan and Europe during their feudal eras were quite different and similar at the same time because they held the same premise. In feudal Japan, the emperor had the highest rank, but held little to no political power because they were meant to be a sovereign gift from the gods and was more of a figurehead. The real power was held by the shogun; he controlled economic and military matters as well as being in charge of taxes and writing the laws. Under the shogun were the Daimyo. They were the equivalent to a lord in feudal Europe; they owned land and governed the samurai. The Samurai under the Daimyo were Japanese warriors that swore to serve their superior (equivalent to a vassal in feudal Europe). Although these warriors were not well educated, they had a strict code of honor called bushido, “the way of the warrior” in English. If they broke their code, they were required to commit seppuku, or ritual suicide. Peasants would be the ones of the population that worked the sea and mainland to provide food and raw materials and made up 90% of Japan’s feudal population. Unlike feudal Europe, peasants were not considered to be the lowest class in Japan. Under the peasants were artisans and merchants. These groups of people only sold what was harvested by the peasants. Feudalism ended in Japan because the economy took a turn when western trade was
However, the problem with this definition is that close …show more content…
Japan and Europe during their feudal eras were quite different and similar at the same time because they held the same premise. In feudal Japan, the emperor had the highest rank, but held little to no political power because they were meant to be a sovereign gift from the gods and was more of a figurehead. The real power was held by the shogun; he controlled economic and military matters as well as being in charge of taxes and writing the laws. Under the shogun were the Daimyo. They were the equivalent to a lord in feudal Europe; they owned land and governed the samurai. The Samurai under the Daimyo were Japanese warriors that swore to serve their superior (equivalent to a vassal in feudal Europe). Although these warriors were not well educated, they had a strict code of honor called bushido, “the way of the warrior” in English. If they broke their code, they were required to commit seppuku, or ritual suicide. Peasants would be the ones of the population that worked the sea and mainland to provide food and raw materials and made up 90% of Japan’s feudal population. Unlike feudal Europe, peasants were not considered to be the lowest class in Japan. Under the peasants were artisans and merchants. These groups of people only sold what was harvested by the peasants. Feudalism ended in Japan because the economy took a turn when western trade was